Abington, Pennsylvania

March 13, 2014

This ordinance lists the conditions under which dogs may be tethered, requiring access to food and potable water, sanitary shelter, reasonable space, and safe surroundings.

S 58-2. Rules and regulations for the tethering of dogs outdoors.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain, or allow a dog in such person’s care or located on such person’s property to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained by means of a rope, chain, strap, or other physical restraint in a matter that:
   1. Deprives the dog from access to necessary sustenance or clean water; or
   2. Deprives the dog from access to sanitary shelter which ill protect the animal from inclement weather in such manner as will allow the dog to remain dry and retain its proper bodily temperature; or
   3. Prevents the dog from having the ability to rest in an area that is reasonably safe and sanitary; or
   4. Prevents the dog from being able to move around an area that is reasonable in size, based on the size of the animal and the area that is otherwise available for the dog’s movement; or
   5. Uses an anchor, latch or similar tethering device which enables the tether to become entangled around any object so as to limit the dog’s freedom from within the tethered area or causes the dog, or any of its appendages, to become entangled by the tether; or
   6. Otherwise creates a condition that is cruel, unsafe, unsanitary, inhumane or otherwise creates an immediate danger to the life and health of such animal.